MEDICINAL AND AROMATIC CROPS (2+1)

History

• Plants have been associated with the health of mankind from time immemorial.
• In the past, sickness was viewed as a punishment by the gods and hence, was treated with prayers and rituals that included what may have been considered ‘magic potions’ prepared out of local herbs.
• Archaeological discoveries from 60000 year old Neanderthal burial grounds in Iraq point to the use of several plants like marsh mallow, yarrow and groundsel that still figure in folk medicine.
• Mexican Indians are reported to have used peyote cactus for its hallucinogenic and, also possibly its healing properties for thousands of years.
• This plant is now known to have antibiotic properties as well.
• Cuneiform writing on clay tablets by the Sumerians of the Tigris and Euphrates (present day Iraq) around 4000 BC, reported the use of opium, liquorice, thyme, mustard and the chemical element sulphur as medicine.
• The Babylonians who apparently followed the Sumerians in this field added senna, coriander, saffron, cinnamon and garlic among the other herbs in their formulations.